Starting nursery with additional needs
Nursery is often the first time families notice that their child's needs are different from peers — or the first time school staff raise it with you. It can be a brilliant or a tough start, depending on the setting and the support.
What good early-years support looks like
- A key person who knows your child well
- A clear way of sharing information between home and nursery (a home–setting diary works well)
- Visual routines, photos of staff, and simple now-and-next cards
- Sensory awareness — quiet corners, noise reduction, transitions handled gently
- Honest, kind communication about what they're seeing
Your rights in the early years
Early-years settings in England have duties under the Code of Practice. Your child can be supported through the graduated approach (assess, plan, do, review) and can have an needs assessment if their needs are significant.
Useful questions to ask
- Who is the lead in the setting?
- How will you share information with us?
- What support will you put in place for [name]?
- How will you handle transitions, drop-off and pick-up?
- What happens if [name] becomes overwhelmed?
Preparing your child
Use a simple visual story: who they'll meet, where they'll hang their coat, what happens at snack time, when you come back. Familiarity reduces anxiety enormously.
Key message
A good nursery does not "fix" your child. It welcomes who they already are and supports them to feel safe.